Hayter Harrier 56 or Honda HRD 536 Mower

Witterings

I've narrowed the choice of a new mower down to 2 - the Hayter Harrier 56 or the Honda HRD 536 ... does anyone have any experience with either of these.

I'm leaning towards the Haytor as I've heard some people saying the Drive goes on the Honda (£500 to repair) but I believe these are people using them professionally so they're getting an awful lot of use. The roller on the Hayter is split which makes it easier to turn and the height adjustment is simpler.

I'me guessing they both give a good cut and in reality the most important think is reliability and how long they last.

If anybody's got any comments on either would be much appreciated.

SamBevington

Hi, I recommend the Haytor, lovely finish, starts first time even if I've left it out in all weathers!  Had mine for eight years and have one and a half acres to mow!

BenCotto

I have a Honda HRD 536 (I think) and would not hesitate to recommend it or buy the same model again. My last mower, the equivalent Honda, went for years and years without any trouble but about 6 years ago the man who serviced it said the clutch was wearing out and he did not think a repair would be cost effective.

I bought a new model, and gave the old model to a friend’s son who had just bought his first house. Last I heard - three years ago - the mower was still functioning. My new Honda works perfectly, starts easily and copes admirably with my quite large and sloping lawn. This year it did develop a fault, a seizing petrol tank cap, and at its annual service the engineer has advised fitting an entirely new petrol tank. That’s annoying but it only costs about £30 so won’t break the bank.

Sometimes the gardener favours vertical stripes, and sometimes horizontal ones

Perki

I assume you are looking at new mowers ? what you say is correct about the gears in the roller going and its expensive, the drive on the HRD model isn't as strong as the HRH ( the full pro machine  ) and the split roller does make a big difference. I've have a Kazz pro which is a copy of the Honda HRH and not having a split roller is really annoying not so bad if you have a long straight garden without obstacles in the way . 

I'd give reliability engine wise to the Honda no doubt about it and the drive and movability to the Hayter the rest if personal preference. The Hayter does have a wider cut a bigger engine and probably better in wet conditions .

I personally want to swap my Kazz for the Hayter so I'd choice the Hayter 2019-2021 model.

If you are looking at pre 2019 Hayter the older shape I would pick the Honda. 

Witterings

Perki said:

I assume you are looking at new mowers ? 

If you are looking at pre 2019 Hayter the older shape I would pick the Honda. 

Yes I am looking at new and probably the 575 which is the manual start but with the blade brake .... don't think I fancy risking electric start as if it goes wrong you're up the swanny until you can get it repaired. Surprised they don't have a recoil for fail over like my old Mountfield which is what I'm looking to replace.

ColinA

Whichever machine you buy they last a lot longer longer and are more reliable if serviced every year

Witterings

ColinA said:

Whichever machine you buy they last a lot longer longer and are more reliable if serviced every year

Managed 18 years out of my last mower with just a broken belt (got a long palm leaf wrapped around the drive) and nothing more and probably saved myself a small fortune by not ever having it serviced ... never even had an oil change 

Hostafan1

When I did contract gardening, my mowers were in use for up to 6 hours every day. I always had Hondas and never regretted it. 
As for servicing, when it cost more to service my mower than it cost to service my car, I gave up. I've still got my last Honda, bought second hand 25 years ago and it's still working and I've never had it serviced.

Allotment Boy

I don't have direct experience of the models you are looking at.  I have a Hater 41, it's a 1997 model I have had it serviced but only about 3 times since I had it. Technically it was 2nd hand but it was barely used by the previous owner.  We have a self drive Honda Izzy at the Allotment,  engine wise it's fine but the drive stopped working, less than a year old.  It gets a lot of use/ abuse but it was recommended by the service place we use for that reason .  Honda's are more expensive model for model . See if you can go somewhere and handle them, it may help you decide. 

TheVanguard

I think mine is the HRX Honda, no problems with it.